Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth — Page 261
DIVINE REVELATION. AND RATIONALITY. N another chapter we briefly covered the progress of. Muslim thought and intellectual pursuits in many areas of human interest. During that period, although. Muslim enquiry was predominantly influenced by. Quranic teachings and the traditions of the Holy Prophetsa, it could not be entirely qualified as Islamic. There was a rapid proliferation of academic growth in all directions. . Many new philosophies and sciences were acquired from past eras of secular, academic and scientific achievements. . Also, many a new branch of religious and secular knowledge was pioneered by some outstanding Muslim thinkers. Thus, religion and rationality went hand in hand. . They drew their thrust largely from the emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge laid in the Quran and the instructions of the Holy Prophetsa. The role of rationality was so powerfully highlighted that religious belief and rationality became synonymous. The proclamation by the Quran that. Muhammadsa is a universal Prophet with a universal message, is in itself tantamount to declaring that the religion of Islam is founded on rationality. No religion with any element of irrationality can be acceptable to the universal conscience of man: وَمَا اَرْسَلْنَكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ * 34:29. And We have not sent thee but as a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner, for all mankind, but most men know not. . I 255